A southwest Missouri police chief says many rural law enforcement agencies often don’t have the resources, training, and experience found in bigger cities. A statewide task force is working to improve services for Missouri’s sexual assault survivors and to better respond to these cases. During a virtual taskforce hearing, Bolivar Police Chief Mark Webb says […]
Governor Mike Parson announced the state of Missouri has approved more than $1.8 million in grant assistance to 19 agencies across the state to investigate and prosecute crimes that victimized children. “Criminals who victimize children must be investigated, prosecuted, and brought to justice, no matter when they commit these heinous crimes,” Governor Parson said. “The […]
The Columbia College Board of Trustees unanimously named Dr. David Russell the college’s 18th president on Friday afternoon. Russell has served as interim president since January 2021, and the promotion to president is effective October 1, 2021. Russell’s appointment will add three years to his current contract, which will now run through 2025. “This […]
The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a Public Safety Alert warning Americans of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. DEA’s Public Safety Alert, the first in six years, seeks to raise public awareness of a significant nationwide surge in counterfeit pills that are mass-produced by criminal […]
(Missouri Independent) – Shawndra Taylor had just 12 hours notice when the first truck canceled. The truck contained food to help prepare the 3,000 meals served each day in her school district in Eldon — including items she needed to make dinner for students. Her supplier, Kohl Wholesale in Quincy, Illinois, was too short-staffed. Taylor, […]
Among cases in the Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court, Laredo resident Joseph Adam Vivone pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and speeding from an arrest on January 24. Imposition of sentence was suspended and Judge Steve Hudson placed Vivone on two years supervised probation. Vivone is to donate 48 hours of community service […]
(Missouri Independent) – Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither announced Tuesday that five staffers members of Agape Boarding School will be charged with a combined 13 counts of third-degree felony assault — a fraction of what Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt recommended. In March, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson directed the attorney general’s office to assist Gaither […]
(Missouri Independent) – Face masks will stay on for students and teachers in districts requiring them, a Boone County judge ruled Tuesday, handing Attorney General Eric Schmitt a defeat in his efforts to use the courts to block mask mandates. Circuit Judge Brouck Jacobs denied Schmitt’s effort to use a single case, filed against Columbia […]
Last week’s Higher Learning Commission’s visit was discussed at the North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees meeting on September 28. NCMC President Doctor Lenny Klaver called it a “good visit” and said sessions were well attended by faculty, staff, and trustees. He also said a “great team” came for the visit, and it was […]
The superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the following promotion effective October 1, 2021, Sergeant Joseph A. Veasman, Troop F, Zone 14, commercial vehicle enforcement, is being promoted to the rank of lieutenant and assigned to the Professional Standards Division, General Headquarters, Jefferson City, MO. Veasman began his career with the Patrol on […]
A Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to hire an undercover law enforcement agent to murder the victim in a pending statutory sodomy case. Jon Mark Wilson, 57, of Sedalia, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps Jr. to one count of the use of interstate facilities (the use of […]
After much discussion, for more than 30 minutes, the Trenton City Council Monday night met with citizens, many of whom were seeking a repeal of the breed-specific dog ordinance. Six members of the council were physically present at Trenton City Hall and another took part via Zoom. Twenty individuals were in the audience at city […]
The North Central Missouri College Admissions Office will host a college fair in Trenton. NCMC students, area high school students, and community members can learn about post-secondary opportunities during the event in the Ketcham Community Center on October 7, 2021, from 9 o’clock to 10:30 in the morning. Representatives from about 45 colleges, technical schools, and […]
The Trenton Police Department expects to have another officer join the staff later this year. The Trenton City Council Monday night approved the employment of Chanse Houghton of Trenton. The hiring recommendation came from the Police Personnel Board. A council member, Lance Otto, said Houghton interviewed well with the board. Police Chief Rex Ross said […]
Personnel, along with reports, highlights the meeting Tuesday, September 28, 2021, for the North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees. The open portion of the meeting begins at 5:30 and will be held at the Frey Administrative Center on the campus. Personnel includes resignations, employments, a Head Start item, contractual and classification changes as well […]
Missouri Division of Employment Security figures indicates Livingston, Mercer, and Worth counties are among those with the lowest unemployment rates for August 2021, the most recent month available. Worth County has the second-lowest unemployment rate for Missouri at two percent. Only Osage county has fewer unemployed, a one-point nine percent. Mercer County’s rate is two […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has filed a motion to enforce a permanent injunction and for expedited discovery, which seeks a court order from the District Court to compel the Biden Administration to reimplement the Migrant Protection Protocols, or “Remain in Mexico” Policy. “We sued the Biden Administration in April over their cancellation of the […]
The Department of Justice announced that the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a component of the department’s Office of Justice Programs, has awarded almost $187 million to support state, local, and tribal public safety and community justice activities. The awards, from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, are going to all 50 states, […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt gave an update on the SAFE Kit Initiative, reporting positive progress in clearing the backlog of untested sexual assault kits through the initiative. The Springfield Police Department also announced that they have completely cleared out their backlog, leaving zero untested sexual assault kits in their inventory. “As a husband, father, […]
United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson and Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development Katie Hamm today unveiled a joint resource guide (PDF, 3.5 MB) to help people in rural and Tribal communities increase access to child care services. “Access to quality, affordable […]
